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Coaches Corner:
COACHES CORNER
Updated: February 2009
Think About It
“If we want to create a workplace that values idealism, human connection, and real, in-depth learning, we will have to create it ourselves.” — Peter Block
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Curriculum Mapping and Designer Conference
For those interested in curriculum mapping, curriculum development and assessment, or digital portfolios, the following sessions were addressed at the CMI Regional Conference in August, 2008 in Rhode Island:
Curriculum Mapping has become a transformative tool used to improve teaching and learning. It is used in every state and now in countries around the world to revise our curriculum to align with meaningful standards. Based on the pioneering work of Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs, curriculum mapping is an electronic tool and a revision process that is making a difference for schools and districts striving to become operational professional learning communities. It is used as a practical tool to respond to what our children need in a specific setting both vertically K-12 and across grade levels. This conference is an opportunity for teachers, administrators and staff developers to learn how to help their colleagues transform curriculum to support our learners and to integrate assessment data effectively into the curriculum One particular area of focus will be on integrating all types of assessment data into maps to improve student performance. An exciting feature of the program will be the timely use of digital portfolios as a means of engaging students and improving the quality of instruction. One of our workshops will include a group of high school students who will share their work on linking digital portfolios to teacher maps. Join us for the Institute and/or the pre-conferences to support those interested in getting the nuts and bolts of Curriculum Mapping or Digital Portfolio assessment practices.
Curriculum Mapping 101 will be an opportunity to learn the nuts and bolts of mapping in terms of best practices for creating quality maps and reviewing them to improve student learning. Dr. Ann Johnson will walk through each of the seven phases of the mapping model with participants. You will have an opportunity to do hands-on work generating a teacher map as well as learn how to create sitebased reviews of maps both vertically and across grade levels to find gaps, repetitions, and align with your standards. This pre-con is designed to engage those who are new to mapping or who need a refresher on the “basics”.
Digital Portfolios 101 How can students show that they are meeting standards while demonstrating who they are as individual learners? Digital portfolios allow students and teachers to have a much deeper conversation about student work than traditional assessment practices. During this session, Dr. David Niguidula will work with you on building a portfolio project for your school. You will learn how students can collect, select, and reflect on their work over time, and for various purposes – from elementary portfolios showing videos of student reading to high school portfolios for graduation. You will also learn about the essential questions your schools need to address – and how you can begin to transform the assessment practices at your own school.
If you are interested in attending a curriculum designer conference, follow the link to this website:
http://www.curriculumdesigners.com/index.php?Path=Public/Home/Conferences/Rhode%20Island%202008
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Charter Schools who would like more information pertaining to meeting the needs of their special education students, the following website is an excellent resource:
http://www.uscharterschools.org/cs/spedp/print/uscs_docs/spedp/home.htm
TALC Jan. Data Collection Results
TALC thanks those who participated in our 2008 data collection activities. This information was valuable to discern how best to structure assistance for new small schools.
If you are interested in the collected data, you can download it here:
Small School Group Data 2008 DOC (221 Kb)
Looking for School Facilities???
If you are interested in vacant property owned by the Milwaukee Public Schools, the properties have currently been put on the market and are ready for sale.
You can go to www.boerke.com to find information packets that give a detailed description, pictures, and pricing.
Please contact Andrew Jensen, David Pudlosky, or Jane McBride at The Boerke Company, 414.347.1000, if you have questions.
Small School Resources
Available Now: Social Justice Curriculum
Download: Small School Resources Vol 3 DOC (26 Kb)
Download: Small School Resources Vol 2 DOC (241 Kb)
Download: Gates Millennium Scholars Program PDF (34 Kb)
